Chelsea Heights Trauma Tips

May Edition

Chelsea Heights Trauma Tips

May Edition

Understanding Our Own Triggers

Having an understanding of the things that push our buttons can help us be more aware and able to push the "pause" button when we get triggered by a student who challenges us. Students who have experienced trauma need us to respond in the ways we have learned work for them (regulate, relate, reason), rather than react out of our own emotional triggers.

Trauma's Effects on Teachers

In all likelihood, teachers of children impacted by trauma may also be affected, either directly or indirectly. Therefore, caring for others who have experienced trauma may not only be a stressful experience, but may compound the teacher’s own reactions. The impact on the teacher or person caring for the student can involve feeling physically and emotionally worn out, feeling overwhelmed by the student’s trauma and reactions and experiencing traumatic stress of their own. This is also often referred to as ‘vicarious trauma’ or ‘secondary traumatic stress’. Such reactions are not a sign of weakness. Rather, they are the cost of caring for and helping others. There is some overlap between the reactions demonstrated by students following trauma and those of teachers who are experiencing ‘secondary traumatic stress’ or ‘vicarious trauma’.

SPPS Employee Assistance Program

Sand Creek is your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). It offers free, confidential assessment - up to 4 sessions per year, short-term counseling, referral, and follow up. Professional counselors are experienced in helping people identify and find solutions to personal issues such as:

Job Stress

RelationshipsFinancial ConcernsParent/Child IssuesDepressionSubstance AbuseChildcare or EldercareLoss and GriefOther Life Concerns

Using EAP is completely confidential, provided at no cost to you, and available to both you and your household family members.